www.fidelityventures.com/our_team
 
Investment Professionals

Imran Akran - Senior Associate

Imran focuses on technology investments in the European market. He previously spent two years at General Atlantic where he was involved with a number of technology transactions including the acquisition of GlobalCollect, an online payment services provider. Prior to that, he worked at Bain and Company advising clients (including private equity clients) on growth and sales strategies, organisational structure and cost reduction programs. He has also worked in the European Securitisation team of Citigroup.

Imran is a graduate of Oxford University with a first class degree in Engineering, Economics and Management.






Geraldine Alias - Senior Associate

Geraldine Alias focuses on investment opportunities in information services, software, healthcare technology, Internet applications and digital media. She currently serves on the board of Cortera, and is actively involved in RedBrick Health, Stylesight and Flock. Prior to joining Fidelity Ventures, Alias was an associate at Battery Ventures, where she focused on media, ecommerce and communication investments. From 2000 to 2002, Alias was a business analyst in McKinsey & Company’s Silicon Valley office, where she provided strategic and operational advice to telecommunications and enterprise software companies.

Geraldine graduated from Princeton University with a BSE in Electrical Engineering and a Certificate in Engineering and Management System and earned an MBA from Harvard Business School.






Sean Cantwell - Senior Associate

Sean focuses on growth equity investments across sectors for Fidelity Ventures. He currently serves on the board of iPipeline, and is actively involved with GeoLearning, New Orleans Exchange and Teliris. Prior to joining Fidelity, Sean was a Principal at The Parthenon Group where he worked on a variety of strategy consulting engagements for private equity firms and large corporate clients. From 2001 to 2004, Sean worked at Summit Partners, where he focused on mid-market buyouts and growth equity investments in the software, healthcare and financial services sectors. Sean began his career at Arthur Andersen.

Sean received a Bachelor of Business Administration degree from the University of Notre Dame and an MBA from Harvard Business School.






Larry Cheng - Partner

Larry Cheng focuses on investment opportunities in Internet applications, information services, financial services and consumer technologies. Larry currently serves on the boards of Stylesight, Prosper, MFG.com, Cortera and mindSHIFT. He is also a Board observer on Flock and The New Orleans Exchange. Larry previously led Fidelity Ventures’ investment in Verid which was acquired by EMC. Prior to joining Fidelity Ventures, Larry was a senior associate at Battery Ventures, where he was an early investor in Ruckus Network, OpenNetwork Technologies (acquired by BMC Software) and Ximian (acquired by Novell). From 1998 to 2000, he was an associate for Bessemer Venture Partners where he focused on software investments. Prior to Bessemer, Larry was an associate consultant at Corporate Decisions Inc.

Larry earned a B.A. in Psychology from Harvard College






Simon Clark - Partner

A partner in the firm’s London office, Simon Clark focuses on investment opportunities in emerging European and Israeli technology companies. Simon is currently on the Board of Directors of Asset Control, BridgeCo, Curam, JR Technologies, Neverfail, Qumas and Seatwave. Prior to joining Fidelity in 1999, Simon was Chief Financial Officer and General Manager, International of TheStreet.com, (NASDAQ: TSCM) a leading financial news website. In this role he managed two rounds of venture fundraising, a strategic investment and the IPO process; was responsible for the company’s IT infrastructure; and set up its international operations. He spent over seven years at Reuters in various finance, IT and general management positions and, in 1995, established and ran Reuters.com. He qualified as a Chartered Accountant at Price Waterhouse in London.

Simon represents Fidelity Ventures as a committee member for the British Private Equity and Venture Capital Associate (BVCA), the industry body for the UK private equity and venture capital industry.

Simon holds an MA in Politics, Philosophy and Economics from Wadham College Oxford.




Jake Colognesi - Associate

Jake focuses on growth equity investments across all sectors for Fidelity Ventures. He is actively involved in the firm’s investments in GeoLearning and Vibes Media. Prior to joining Fidelity, Jake worked in the Technology, Media & Telecommunications Group at Cowen and Company, where his primary focus was on the software sector. While at Cowen, Jake advised clients on sellside transactions as well as public and private equity financings.

Jake graduated from Colby College with a B.A. in Economics.






Stephen Daley - Associate

Stephen focuses on growth equity investments across all sectors. Prior to joining Fidelity Ventures, Stephen worked as an investment banking analyst at Revolution Partners, LLC, where his primary focus was on the software, internet/new media and IT services industry sectors.

Stephen graduated from Dartmouth College with a BA in Economics and Government Focus in International Relations and Finance.




Don Haile - Venture Partner

Don Haile works with Fidelity Ventures partners to evaluate and initiate new investment opportunities. He also plays an active role in helping portfolio companies with their business and marketing plans.

Prior to joining Fidelity Ventures, Don was CIO of Fidelity Investments. There he had responsibility for a $2 billion annual IT budget for computer operations, global communications networks and enterprise applications.

Before joining Fidelity in 1998, Don spent 34 years with IBM where he held executive positions in hardware and software development, with responsibilities for telecommunications, systems management and operating systems. Don led IBM’s acquisitions of Tivoli and Transarc, and has served on the advisory boards of leading companies including IBM and Siemens Communications.

Don’s unique enterprise customer perspective, combined with over 40 years of management experience in the technology sector, make Don a valuable addition to the Fidelity Ventures team. Don received a BA degree in mathematics from St. Vincent College and a BS degree in electrical engineering from Penn State University. In 2004 he was recognized by Network World as one of the 50 most powerful people in networking.




Davor Hebel - Senior Associate

Davor focuses on technology investments in the European market. Davor currently serves on the Board of Asset Control, and serves as a Board Observer at Newbay Software and Seatwave. Prior to joining Fidelity Ventures, Hebel was co-founder and supervisory board member for private equity-funded Experia, based in Croatia. From 2000 to 2003, Hebel worked at McKinsey and Company, where he advised companies in the United States and Europe on issues in strategy and technology.

Davor received a Bachelor of Science degree from Angelo State University, a Masters in Science in Information Systems Management from Carnegie Mellon University and a MBA from Harvard Business School.




Roger Hurwitz - Partner

Roger focuses on growth equity investments in software and technology–enabled business services. Roger currently serves on the boards of Cortera, GeoLearning and iPipeline. Prior to joining Fidelity Ventures in 2007, he was a partner for Apax Partners, focused primarily on investments in enterprise software and technology–enabled services. Before that, he worked for GE Capital and was a vice president of GE Equity, where he played a key role in developing the technology group’s investment strategy for business–to–business electronic commerce. Earlier in his career, he worked in corporate finance at Chase Manhattan Bank, and spent six years at Arthur Andersen in accounting and corporate finance.

Roger received a bachelor of science degree in accounting from Syracuse University in 1987 and an MBA from the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania in 1995.





Peter Ippolito - Associate

Peter focuses on growth equity investments across all sectors. Prior to joining Fidelity Ventures, Peter worked as an analyst in the Technology Investment Banking Group at Cowen and Company, where his primary focus was on the software sector.

Peter graduated from Colby College with a B.A. in Economics.




Rob Ketterson - Managing Partner

Rob focuses on investment opportunities in enterprise technologies, communications, and IT services. Rob has led a number of investments including Geotel [NASDAQ: GEOC], (subsequently acquired by Cisco), Nuance Communications [NASDAQ: NUAN], InterNAP [NASDAQ: INAP], Webspective Software (acquired by Inktomi), Nexabit Networks (acquired by Lucent), WaveSmith (acquired by Ciena), and Connected Corp (acquired by Iron Mountain).

Rob represents Fidelity Ventures on the Board of the National Venture Capital Association (NVCA), the venture capital industry’s primary policy setting and lobbying group. He is also on the Board of the New England Venture Capital Association (NEVCA).

Prior to joining Fidelity Ventures in 1993, Rob was a manager in the high technology practice of The Boston Consulting Group. Prior to that he was a product manager for PC products at VLSI Technology, Inc. Rob received an undergraduate degree in computer engineering from the University of Arizona and an MBA from the MIT Sloan School of Management.




Robert Kniaz - Senior Associate

Rob focuses on technology and cleantech investments in the European market. Kniaz previously worked at Google from 2004 to 2008 as a product manager for Google’s AdSense products, later focusing on ad monetization and optimization. Kniaz also worked closely on Google’s acquisition of Feedburner in 2007. Prior to that, Rob worked at Intel Corporation as part of their highly-selective technical sales leadership program. At Intel, Kniaz was promoted through several positions, including business development in Washington D.C. and an assignment in Latin America leading Intel's market development for a portion of the region.

Kniaz holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Computer Science from the University of Maryland at College Park. He also received a Masters certificate in Management Science & Engineering from Stanford University.






Anne Mitchell - Partner

Anne focuses on investment opportunities in enterprise technologies and communications. Anne is currently on the board of directors of Asset Control, eCredit, Teliris and Xoom and also serves as a board observer at Managed Objects. At Fidelity Ventures Anne led Fidelity Ventures investments in AireSpace (acquired by Cisco Systems), Oakley Networks (acquired by Raytheon), ONI Systems (IPO, subsequently acquired by Ciena) and Service Metrics, Inc. (acquired by Exodus). She was also integral to the investments in Nexabit Networks (acquired by Lucent), Nuance Communications (NASDAQ: NUAN), InterNAP (NASDAQ: INAP), and Webspective Software (acquired by Inktomi).

Before joining Fidelity Ventures in 1996, Anne was an equity analyst with Fidelity Investments, where she covered the technology sector. In this role she was responsible for making investment decisions representing over $2 billion in Fidelity's holdings. Anne received a BA from Harvard College.




Frank Panaccio - Senior Associate
Frank focuses on investment opportunities in enterprise technologies and communications. Frank currently serves as a Board Observer at EnterpriseDB, MegaPath Networks, Neverfail Group, Ping Identity, RedBrick Health and Vibes. Prior to joining Fidelity Ventures, Frank was an Associate of mergers and acquisitions for Broadview International, where he was responsible for developing M&A strategies for clients and managing the execution of transactions. Prior to Broadview, he served as Associate Director of Corporate Finance at Globix Corporation, a global web hosting provider, where he was responsible for corporate finance and corporate development activities. Frank also held positions in the technology M&A group at Robertson, Stephens & Company and in the Global Special Investments group at ING Barings.

Frank earned a BA in Economics from Harvard College and an MBA from Harvard Business School.




Dave Power - Partner
Dave focuses on emerging technology companies in the go-to-market stage of development. He currently serves on the boards of Black Duck Software, EnterpriseDB, Kajeet, Ping Identity, RedBrick Health, SpikeSource and Vibes Media. He has also served on the boards of Polyserve (acquired by Hewlett Packard) and Ximian (acquired by Novell).

Dave’s prior experience includes a number of technology industry operating roles. Dave was CEO of Novera Software (acquired by Mercator Software), a pioneer in web application integration. Prior to Novera, he served as Senior Vice President of Marketing and Corporate Development at RSA Security (acquired by EMC). Dave was also the Vice President and General Manager for PC-Unix Integration Products at Sun Microsystems. Prior to Sun, he was Vice President of Mercer Management where he co-founded the firm’s technology industry practice, providing strategic advice to Apple Computer, Lotus Development, Digital Equipment and other technology leaders.

Dave earned his BS and MS degrees in environmental engineering from Tufts University and an MBA from Stanford Business School, where he was an Arjay Miller Scholar. He also serves as a Trustee at the Perkins School for the Blind.




Jill Roosevelt - Senior Vice President, Business Development

Jill works closely with technology and operations personnel from Fidelity Investments as well as Fidelity Ventures' extended network of CIOs at other Fortune 500 companies. Her business development initiatives support Fidelity Ventures portfolio companies as well as new investment opportunities.

Jill has been with Fidelity Investments since 1996, and has held a number of senior IT positions including her role as Chief Information Officer for the Fidelity Management Trust Company and the Fidelity Pricing and Cash Management Services organization. Most recently Jill served as Senior Vice President for Fidelity Investments Systems Company, where she was responsible for the company's Customer Relationship Management organization. Prior to joining Fidelity, she was Senior Vice President & Division Head for State Street Corporation's Mutual Fund Information Services Division.

Jill attended the University of Hartford and received an MBA from the Simmons Graduate School of Management. She also serves as an adjunct professor at Boston University’s Graduate School of Management.




Jeff Steeves - Senior Associate

Jeff focuses on investment opportunities in software and digital media at Fidelity Ventures. Prior to joining Fidelity Jeff was an Associate with Prism Venture Partners where he focused on technology investment opportunities. Jeff came to Prism from Bain Capital, where he was an Associate for the firm’s North American private equity fund. There, he focused on evaluating buyout investments in the software, telecom, insurance and manufacturing sectors. Prior to Bain Capital, Jeff was an Associate Consultant with Bain & Company, a global strategy consulting firm. With Bain & Company, he assisted clients with strategic business objectives, such as creating new business units and identifying potential acquisition targets.

Jeff holds a B.A. in Computer Science from Dartmouth College, where he graduated Magna Cum Laude in 1999. He received an M.B.A. with distinction from Northwestern University’s Kellogg School of Management in 2005.






Finance, Operations & Legal

Marie Epstein - Controller

Marie is responsible for financial operations, systems and controls. Prior to joining Fidelity Ventures, Marie was Vice President, Finance & Administration for OnePIN, Inc., a developer of contact exchange software for wireless carriers. Prior to OnePIN, Marie was Vice President and Controller of Egenera, Inc., a leader in data center virtualization. Prior to that, Marie was Corporate Controller of Organic, Inc. and a Manager at Coopers & Lybrand (now PricewaterhouseCoopers). Marie is a Certified Public Accountant (CPA). She was awarded the Gold Medal for her performance on the CPA exam by the Massachusetts Society of CPAs. She earned Master of Business Administration and Master of Science degrees from Northeastern University and a Bachelor of Arts degree in psychology from Harvard University.




Andy Flaster - Chief Financial Officer

Andy is responsible for the financial management and operational aspects of Fidelity Ventures and actively participates in the investment process and portfolio management. Andy also represents Fidelity Ventures on the board of the Private Equity CFO Association. Prior to joining Fidelity Ventures in September 2000, Andy was Vice President of Finance for Thomas H. Lee Company, a private equity firm specializing in management growth buyouts. There he was responsible for all financial aspects of their investment funds and financial interaction with the firm’s internal and external stakeholders. Prior to that Andy was acting CFO and Controller of the Corcoran Jennison Companies and was a CPA with the auditing and consulting group of Coopers & Lybrand.

Andy received an MS in Finance from Boston College and a BS in Economics from the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania.




Kevin Kittredge - Director of Business Planning & Analysis

Kevin focuses on finance, market research and business analysis for Fidelity Ventures. Kevin contributes to deal sourcing initiatives, analyzes trends in the private equity markets for senior management and manages reporting and analysis on portfolio company performance in addition to a number of other operational responsibilities. Prior to joining Fidelity Ventures, Kevin held project management and business analyst positions with Fidelity Capital, a private equity division of Fidelity Investments.


Kevin received a BA from the University of Massachusetts, Amherst and an MBA from Babson College. He currently serves on the Board of Directors of The Copley Society of Art.





Elizabeth Ramos - Senior Vice President of Human Resources

Elizabeth Ramos is senior vice president of Human Capital for Fidelity Ventures. Ms. Ramos is responsible for guiding and supporting the partner teams of Fidelity Ventures, Fidelity Partners and Fidelity Biosciences in developing human capital strategies, structures and processes.

Liz earned an MBA with First Year Honors from Harvard Business School. She also holds a Bachelor of Arts degree summa cum laude in international economics from DePauw University. Prior to taking her business school degree, Liz worked in domestic and international lending for Indiana National Bank and taught business courses at the college level.





Julie Santosus - Vice President of Finance

Julie focuses on Fidelity Ventures investment funds and portfolio, including financial analysis and related operational aspects. Since 1995 she has held Financial Analyst, Director of Financial Analysis and Director of Oversight positions across Fidelity Investments, mainly within the investment management area. Prior to that she was with Putnam Investments, where she held various Financial Analyst and Financial Reporting positions.

Julie has a BS in Business Management from Westfield State College and an MBA from Bentley College.